76 Trombones

Opened the morning with breakfast and America Rock. The third Schoolhouse Rock series debuted in 1975 and 1976 as part of the celebration of America's bicentennial. "No More Kings" and "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" cover the American Revolution and the events leading up to it. "Fireworks" is a jaunty ragtime tune about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. "Preamble" discusses the Constitution. "Elbow Room" is on the pioneers and the western expansion. The dynamic "Suffern' 'Til Sufferage" reminds ladies of what they had to go through to be able to vote. "Mother Necessity" goes into the many inventions created in the 19th and early 20th century. "The Great American Melting Pot" is the tale of the immigrants who came for America for freedom, and wound up building the country. "I'm Just a Bill" and "Three Ring Goverment" go more into the US Government, how it's run, and how a bill becomes a law.

Headed to the Collingswood Farm Market around quarter of 10. It was still mostly sunny at this point, which is why I was a bit surprised it wasn't busier. Maybe a lot of people went on vacation this weekend. Or they were avoiding the sweltering humidity. At any rate, I saw cranberry beans, corn, and New Jersey tomatoes for the first time this year. Ended up buying spring onions with their tops still on, peaches, a huge tomato, and a zucchini.

Managed to get across the busy Collings Avenue to grab a drink at WaWa. I was eyeing the soda racks when I noticed they had Vanilla Coke. Oh yum! That's by far my favorite Coke flavor, and I rarely see it anymore.

Headed straight home after that. Went into writing after I put everything away. Vader's not happy when Palpatine insists that he'll teach Luke about the dark Force. He claims Vader isn't ready yet. Vader would rather teach his own son...and he's starting to think that Palpatine's been snookering him for the last 20 years.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot for the Diamond Gala Ball. Jyn is going as a fairy, to her annoyance. Ahsoka is Cinderella. Sabine is working on their creations.

Broke at 1 for lunch and to get ready for work. Ran a Dr. Seuss special while I ate. Dr. Seuss on the Loose is an anthology of three shorts, the first two taken from the original book. "The Sneeches" are yellow creatures who live on the beaches. Sneeches who have green stars on their bellies snub those without them, until a monkey with two star removal-and-inking machines teaches both groups a lesson in equality. "The Zax" are so stubborn that one refuses to move to let the other pass, even as the world changes around them. Sam I Am wants everyone to love his favorite dish, "Green Eggs and Ham," including one poor fellow who would rather not touch them.

I spent almost all of work outside doing carts. Thankfully, I did have help this time. A college boy was around early in my shift. After he left, one of the harder-working teenagers took over. I needed it. It was still sunny and humid at 2. Dark, ominous clouds started to gather as early as quarter after 5. I spent the rest of my shift running around in a tizzy, trying to gather every cart before the rain started. Of course, it finally came down around 6, just as I was coming home. I waited for over a half-hour, but while the lightning vanished and the monsoon dwindled to showers, the rain didn't end. I just rode home and got wet. (And of course, the sun came out the moment I hit the shower.)

Ate leftovers and a green salad for dinner and played Lego Star Wars: Clone Wars. Did much better with the first Ventress mission this time around! Got True Jedi with no problems and half the minikits.

Finished out the night with The Music Man, which is partially set during and after the 4th of July. Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston) is a con-man posing as a salesman pushing boys' bands. He arrives in River City, Iowa during the summer of 1912 and manages to charm most of the town, including his old con buddy (Buddy Hackett) and the mayor's snooty wife (Hermoine Gingold). The mayor (Paul Ford) isn't a fan of his, and neither is sensible librarian Marian Paroo (Shirley Jones). But as Marian begins to fall for him, Harold starts to fall for the town, and both realize what a boost of confidence his boys' band has given all of them.

Another rousing nostalgic tale with excellent music and a fine cast. This one comes direct from Broadway...complete with the bloated running time common in large-scale Broadway adaptations of the 60's and early 70's. If you're a fan of the music or the cast and have time on your hands, this is a long-time favorite of mine and is recommended.